Valve assembly



June v9, 1936. H. H. BlxLER.

VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed June `l5, 1935 Ihventov. Horeg H. Bbde-r,

Patented June v9, 1936 UNITED s'rl-i'ri-:sf

VALVE.' AS SEMSBLY' Harley HrBixler, Schenectadx; N; Y., assignor to. General' Electric Company.. a corporation ot NewYork Application, .lune 15,. 1935,., Serial; Nc-..26, 7}l6:

19 Claims. (o1: 23u-231.);

My' invention relates to valve; assemblies for: refrigerant compressors or the like.,

' It. isi an object of my invention; to provide a valve assembly for; refrigerant compressors: or the liker which, requires. a minimum number ofi parts, rugged in construction, and. eflicimt-` in operation..

A further object4 of' my' invention is: to.' provide a Valve, assembly for compressorsy or the. like including, an arrangement formi'nimizi'ngj the Vibration of theV discharge. valve element: ofi' the; Valve assembly.;

Further objects andi advantages. of my inven tion will become apparent as thel following dee i scription proceeds and the.v features: or novelty Which characterize my inventionwll be pointed. out with particularity in: the claims annexed. toi and forming a part of thisI specification.

A better understanding' of' my' invention. may be had by reference tothe accompanying dravring in which Fig. l is a1 side'. elevation, partly in section, ofV the end of a compressorl cylinder: provided with a valve assembly: embodying invention; Fig; 2 i'sanexploded perspectiveview 25`- ofV thevalve assembly shown in Fig; I; and

3 is a sectional view* along the line; 3-3; of the mufe box' included inthe valve assemblyZ shown in Figs. l and 2'.

Referring to the drawing, 1` have; shown i-n Fig'. l, a refrigerant compressor cylinder Ii provided. With a longitudinal cylinder bore IIC in which a1 cylindrical piston I2v is reciprocated by a;` Scotch yoke mechanism, or otherl suitable drivingI ar-` rangement'. The open end of the cylinder bore II is closed by a valve assembly t3?, embodying my invention. The valve assembly-*ITS includes a rectangular valve plate I4 madeof-steelf or the. like and having flat interior and exterior par-'aller surfaces. The valveplate I4 is'- provided with an inlet passage I 5 extending therethrough, the-outer end of the inlet passage I5 being enlarged by: a counterbore IB. Thevalve plate IllA is alsoA provided With a series ofv discharge passages'. LT

extending therethrough and arranged in a circle.

The discharge passages I' communicate with annular recesses IB and I9 formed in the opposite surfaces oi' the valve plate I4. They inlet passage IBv andv discharge passages I'I are displaced ap*- prcximately 9Q With respect to each other about' o the center oi"` the Valve plate I4.

gral exiblee tongue. 2ilformed therein by a Uf shaped. aperturezZZ. whichfmay be.4 punched. or otherwise; formed; im the valve supportingA mem--v loert 2li.. The flexible. tongue 2-I includes. an. elongated body portiere. 23;b and; anenlarged cir-j cular end portion 2.4;. Thel enlarged. end per-V4 tionv 241. cooperateszwitir a.. valve sea-tformedgbythe flatmachinedisurfaceo they valve-plate I4 sur-f rounding'theinlet passage I5. close the.y latter.V The inlet valve element: thus formedby: the; exe

ible tonguezZI: ifsvflexedzbackwardlnabout a transV verseiaxi's:v passing through. the elongatedl body; portion 213 thereof.. away from'. the end of, the; inletv passage t5 when the. fluid'. pressure in theinlet passage exceeds'the fluid. pressure; in the cylinderbore. I'I by.'y a predetermined amount. Fluid? is thus admitted td the cylinder bore II.. The opening' movement' of the. exible tongue. 2'I is limitedby the. shoulder 252 atA thee base 0i the; slot 26 formed. in the; Wall.l of; the cylinder: II)- surrounding' the enlarged: end. 2.4 of. the iiexiblerl tongue. The inlet valve supporting'. member 2-0 is also provided with a. circular: aperture 21- therein-` which. surrounds the; inner.a ends of; the discharge passages:Y IFT, thus: allowingl free.L com.- muni'cati'on between the inner ends. ofi the dis charge passages and-the interior ofi the cylinder; bore` FII.

zev

A sheet metal discharge valve supporting mem.- Y

ber 28:1fnadel of' a rectangular` piece; of` spring steel or the'` like: is positioned on-` the exterior.- surface. off'the valve plate If'4; In the illustrative form. of my invention, the discharge valve supportingV element 2'8lis a duplicate ofthe inlet'valfve-Lsupp'orting memberi 20:1 in order that" the' costy Gif-manufacture of thevalve assembly-)may be minimized.. A dis-A charge valveelementis `provided in thedischarge valveI supportingA member 28? bya flexible; integral tongue 29'A formed therein by a ueshaped; aperture 30. The-flexibletongue Z9V includes arr elongated. body portion 3I^ and an= enlarged circular: end' portion 32. The enlarged end:` portionl?. of. the; flexible tongue 29 cooperates 'with a: valve seat formed' by the Hat machined surface; ofy the valvepla-te I4 surrounding the outer ends of the discharge passages If'I-'toK close thezl'atter: Whenv the fluid pressi-1rev within the discharge passages: I-Tf exceeds thefuid pressure on: the exterior of' the flexible tongue 29-by'a predeterminedA amount, the: flexible tongue- 29- i's ilexedbackwardly, about. a transverse axis passing through the elongated' body portion 32| thereof, thus opening the` dis;- charge passages I-'l andi permitting the escape. of compressed: uid fromy the interior of.' the. cylinder bore I I. The discharge valve supporting'menrber 28 'isprovided with a circular aperture 33 therein surrounding the outer end of the inlet passage V|5 in order that the` latter may b e unobstructed.

The flexible tongues Zland` 29 provided inthe .inlet valve'and discharge valve supporting members 20 and 28 respectively are arranged atV rightV angles with respect to, eachother and the inlet passage VI5V and Vdischarge passages |1 VYformed'inV Vthe valve plate |4 are also displaced approxi- Vabout thecent'er of the valve plate'. VBy utilizing such an arrangement, the elongated bodyportions" 23 and 3 Ifofthe flexible tongues 2|. and 29 respectively may be given a maximum'lengthV withoutV increasing the peripheral dimensions of the inlet valve and discharge valve supporting members and 28.` It is desirable that the elongatedbody portions 23 and 3| of the flexible tongues 2| andv 29 respectively be given amaxirnum length within i the'. permissible""peripheral dimensions .of the .valve supporting membersin order to minimize the anglerofY ilexure thereof andhencetheV stress thereinfor a` predetermined opening movement of the? flexible .tongues with respect. to the openings which are Vclosed by the valves. 1 c Shallow rectangular recesses 34 and 35 are provided onthe opposite surfaces of the valve plate |4 vbeneath the adjacent :bodyj-potions 23 and 3|..

o'fthe Vflexible tongues 2|! and'Y 29 respectively.

The recesses 34 and 35 are-made somewhat wider than the'adjacentbody portions of the'ilexible y ter lodged between; the same and the adjacent' '4.5.7of steel orvthe like is positionedV on the exterior recesses 34.and 35.

tongues andV fluid. is 'thus allwed to enter the tongues sticking Von the valve plateis also minimized. Moreover, diflicultywhich might otherwise be encountered by Vafdisplacement of the exibletongues, due to dirt or other'forelgn matsurfaces of the'valveplate |4,1 is also obviated. A rectangular muille box 36Y madefrom a'block surfaceof thedischarge valve supporting element '28. VThe: 1m'uille box 36 is provided with a cylindrical discharge recess 31 in the interior surface thereof which' surrounds the enlarged end'portio'n 32 of the flexible tongue 29. i A discharge passage 38 formed inthe inner end of the recess 31 communicates through Y VAn arrangement is provided for directing the passage. of highvelocity fluid from the discharge passages |1'ac'ross theqrear vsurface ofthe discharge valvev element in order to reduce the pres- 'sure thereon.V rvI have foundthatby so reducing the pressureon the exterior side of the discharge element that Vwhenit is moved to its open position under.. the influence of a predetermined fluidv Vpressure in the discharge'passages I1, :itis re-V Ytainedjilrmly in the openposition due to the -re-- ducedV pressure on .the Yexterior side thereof, thus avoidingchattering and vibration of the discharge Y valve'elementwhich mightk otherwise be encountered.` This chattering or vibrationYof-ithe discharge valve element ordinarily results fromthe Vfact that compressed fluidY leaving the discharge passagespreads out over the valve seat and passes thereove'r at `high* velocitythus causing-aglowV pressure areaover the valvefseat as compared to ithe pressure at'the" center; of the'discharge'pas- .75: sagef'The low `pressu'regarea overthevalveseatV `tendsto .pull the discharge valve element down The areas of contact between the flexible tonguesr2r| and 29 with the adjacentV Y surfaces of the valve plate are thus mlnimized'and .correspondingly the possibility .of the flexible' Y a passage 39 with a discharge 'conduit40." y

' acess-i9V toward the seat while the pressure built up at the Y center ofthe passage tends to lift the discharge valve element from the seat. `'These two opposing pressure conditions result in an unstable condition of the discharge valve element and as aV consequence it tends to vibrate; 'I'he frequency of this vibratlon'ofthe discharge valve element is usually wellv above. the lower limit of the audible range.

In accordance with oneV aspect of my invention', I provide an arrangement for directingV the high velocity iluld across the rear surface of the discharge valve element, thus reducing the pressure thereon; The area of the low pressure zone thus created on the rear surface of the discharge valve element is made greater than that over the valve seat on the opposite surface of the discharge'valve e element and, as a consequence, the differential in total pressure causes the discharge valve element to remain stable when in its open position. lAside from the' problem of noise the valve arrangement I have provided also increasesV the eillciency of they compressor since it is unnecessary to build upso large a pressure tomalntain the discharge valve e element open when the pressure in the rearsurface thereofis-reduced. As a result the compressor works against a smallerback pressure and more efficient operation is had. Chattering or vibrationrrof the discharge V*valve element. is particularly objectionable as compared to the vibration of Vtheinlet valve element,'for example,V since the fluid in thek dischargeconduit is much more dense than that in the inlet conduit and, as aY consequence, a. much better conductor of sound waves. discharge element and chattering of the same against the adjacent retainer or stop therefor when in its open-position results in anoisy opera- Y tion ofthe compressor.. Y Y

.In the illustrative form ofV my invention, .an

integralstop 4| is formed at one side of the recess 31 Vwhich limits the opening movementzof As a result, vibratory movement of the the enlarged end portion 32 of the flexible tongue f 29.V The face offthe stop'4l against-Which theV enlarged end of the flexible tongue restsk is 'made With .a comparatively smallfarea in order that a maximum portion ofthe rear surface of theY enlarged'end portion 32 of thel flexible tonguelliV will be exposed to uid passing thereover.'A The` face of the stop 4| ls madein alignment with the v bottomof a wedge-shaped'rslot 42 formed in the Vinnersurface of the muille box 36, asbest shown in Fig. 3.V The elongated body portion 3| of the Vilexible tongue 29 rests onthe bottom ofthe VWedge-.shaped slot 42 when the'flexible tongue is inV its open position and since the bottom oftheVv slot 42 and the faceof the stop 4| are in alignment, the flexibleV tongue is maintained in a substantially rectilinear configuration when in its open position. The inner or bottom Wall' 43 of the discharge recess31 is arranged closely adjacent the rear surface of the enlarged end 32 of the flexible tongue 29 when the latter isY in itsy open position, so that fluid passing from thedisw;

charge passages 31 passes around the edges of the V enlarged end 32 of the vflexible tongue and then through'the narrow space Abetween thefbottoin wall v43 of the recess 31 and the adiacentface of the enlarged end 32 of the flexible tongueinto the passage 38.. The high velocity iluid leaving the i" discharge passages is thus directed over the rear V'surface of the enlarged endV 32 of the ilexible tongue 29 and causes a low pressure area to .be

formed thereon; As a consequence, the pressureV on the front side of the enlarged Vend 32 Vof thel flexible Atengue adjacent the Youterends of theV discharge; passages; IIi excecdsither-pressnre cartina rear surface thereof-.'sothat thezfiiexible tongue 29,- is pushed; back; firmly V against the? bottom. of the:slot: Maand: stop .4iI. whenzintits-sopeniposition The; depthl of: the,A stop,F 4I hast been .somewhat exaggerated; in; thee drawirrgintorder to; better i1 lustrate the forme thereof.J IrinaV compresseur-for sulphnr-dioxidev oir similar? vaporizabieev ref-rig:- erant having aA displacement of approximately* 11 cuz. in. per stroke; the: enlarged-r, end; 32 oir the; iiexible tongue. Z9' may convenientlyhavec ai dix,- ametersofaabout, Irrsuclr case,zthez passage lfmay` be.; givenlafcdameten ofi .157! andthef stop 4fI- may-'be given adepthof'. 3%"1 Whenathez parts` are; so: d imensioned the.A maximum: differentialy in. pressure tending'l too fleic thel dischargeI valve element. to its openV position isi4 otA the? orderfof about; 15 tot 20` pounds per?` squarei inch:

The; inutile. boX'; 36' is" provided'. with ai. cylindrical inletrecess: 44,E formedf irL the innerface there-'- of surrounding the, counterbored endi I Si of" the inlet passage I 5l. The inlet recess 424'-` in the muflle: boitiSIiV communicates with the inlet coniduit' 4:5y through. a: passager462 formed in thev mut'- fl'e boxz. The'y discharge andzinlet ccnduitsr4llfand 45 respectively'fare firmlyI fitted'y in complementary bores formedin the muiile boxr3-6 and are secured thereto by Weldingas indicatedatz and 48;

Thef inlet valveY supporting member 20; Valve pla-te I4,. discharge valvef supporting member- 275'A and muflie boxA 36; are providedl with holesk 49',- 50, 5I? and: 52; respectively, adjacent the corners thereof. Screws 53'; passing: through the holes-49; 5I), 5| andi 52f are: threaded? insuitable tapped' holes formed' in the compressor' cylinder I!) and thus hold' the valve assembly I3?. in' itsV assembled position on the end of the cylinder I.

In` the operation of the= machine1 described above, gaseous refrigerant'f such asvl sulphur` dioxide isf supplied to thefiiiletipassage- I5 through thei inlet conduitl 45, passage 4E`r andi recess 442 When the piston IZis retracted-iin thecylinder boreY IIf" in its suction stroke theriiuid pressure Within the cylinder bore I Il is decreased? and when the-pres# sure in theinlet Vpassage I5 exceeds the pres"- sure in the cylinder'y bore` II-v bjyf ai. predetermined amount, the-fiexibl'e inlet" valveftongue- ZI" isflexed backwardly' againstlv theshoulder 25: formed on the cylinder' I0 thusV opening the inlet passage I5. Gaseous refrigerant' thuslfiows into y theinteri'or'ofthecylinder'bore IIfrom theinlet passage'` I5'. During the suction stroke of the pistonI I2', the exibledischarge tongue 25's is firmly seated against the'seat formed' on the exteriorsurface of the valveplate I4 surrounding the dis*-A charge` passages If'IV by the pressurev of thecornpressed gaseous refrigerant in the discharge recess 31 thus closing' the discharge passages IIf` When thel direction of movement'. ofthereci'proeating piston I2 is reversed, and it moves'toward Y the head of the cylinder' on the compression stroke, the gaseous refrigerant'V in the cylinder bore II is compressed' and the? pressure thereof on the' innersurface of the flexible inlet valveI Vtongue 2I causes the same toflex back t'oits'iiat Yminimize vibration thereof;

gaseo refrigeraxrltto escape; therethrough from than index: bore; I;.I intofthe: dischargerecess: 3l; The. d'schargedgaseeuszrefrigerant owingf about thagdges: oft the enlargedend 32of the flexiblev tongues Z911 flows through the; restricted space betweeILtheA-bottomzwall 3.3 othetrecess and Vthe rear surface ofthe; enlargement 3 2; thus forming` aalowpressurezone adjacent the rear surface: of the enlargement 32;, Amar consequence; the4 eX- cess;` of; pressure. of; theA gaseous refrigerant. on the surface; of# theenlargement 32-.adjacent the endstothe dischargapassage` I'I causes: the flexim bie'. 'tongues 29; tcz be firmly, pressede againstthe bottom-,of theslot 42,. andthe facegof the stop 4I. Thee compressed gaseous refrigerant flows from the dischargeeiecessl: tothe passages 38,and 39; to the; discharge conduit? 4Il throughv which it is supplied to, ai, suitalile: refrigerant; condenser` or. thev like;

Whiieelhave shownsa, particuiarfembodiment, of my inventiorrjim connection with. a reciprocating type refrigerant? compressor,v Il do not` desire my invention tog-beflimit'edto, theparticular construction shownand describedsandl intendyin the appended. claims, to; cover all; modizcatioris- ,Within the spiritrand. scope of mit'invention.z

What- I claim as new; and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, ist:VV

1'. Acvalveassembly: forcompressors comprising a valveplate or the' like having apa-ssage therein through which fluid; tof be discharged passes, a seat. surrounding. saidVV passage, aY discharge valve element cooperatingv with said seat to close said passage, andi meansdirecting high velocity compressedv fluidi from said" passage across the rear surface ofi" said discharge valve element'- opposite said: passage for reducing the pressure on said reary surface of` saiddischargey valve element tol minimize vibration thereof.

2. A valve assemblyl for compressors comprisinga valve plate or; thelike' hav-ing a' passage thereinv through; which fluid to be discharged" passes, a seat'l surrounding said' passage, a thin resilient elongated vdischarge valve element* adaptedr to flex about' a transverse axis and supported at one side ofsaid passage cooperating with said seat to` y cl'oseasaid passage, and means directing highA Velocity'compressed fluid-from said passage across the rearv surface of! said dischargeyvalive eie-A ment opposite said passage for reducing theI pressure on sai-d rear surfaceof said discharge valver element to= minimize vibration thereof.

valve assembly for compressors comprising a valveplate or the like having a fiat exterior. surface and havingr a discharge passage extendi'ng therethrough, a seat surrounding said passage, a sheet meta-1 .discharge valve supporting member extending across said exterior surface of 'said valve plate, said? discharge` valve supportingmemberl hav-ing an elongated flexibleintegrall tongue therein forming a discharge valve element cooperating With said seat to vclose said passage', and? means directing high velocity compressed fluidi from said passage across the rear surface of' said dischargevalve element opposite sai'clpassage for reducing the 'pressure on said' rear surface of said discharge valve element to 4. A valvef assembly for compressors comprising a valve plate or the like having a passage therein through which' fluid tofbe discharged passes', a sea-t surrounding said passage,V a discharge-valve element4 cooperating vvithfsaidA `seat to close said3 passage, a mufebox' positioned on the exterior side` off said? valve plateA and# having V`a discharge recess therein surrounding said dis- Y to minimize vibration thereof. Y

charge valve element, and means including a'wall of said recess positioned closely'adjacentk the rear surface of said valve elementV Y directing high Yvelocity compressed fluid from said passage across the rear surfaceof saiddischarge valve element opposite said passage for reducing the pressure on Vsaid rearsurface of said discharge valve element VV5. A valve assembly for `compressors comprising a valve plate Yor thelike having a passage therein through which fluid Vto be discharged passes, a seat surrounding said passage, ak thin Y resilient L elongated dischargeV valve element adapted to flex about a transverse axis and sup- V.ported at one side of said passage cooperating,

Y Vwith said seat to close said passage, a munie box positioned on the exterior side of said valve plate and having a discharge recess therein surrounding the portion of said"V discharge valve element,V

andV means including a Wall of'sai'drecess p ositioned adjacent the rear surface of'said valve element directing high velocity compressed fluid v from said passage acrossthe rear surfaceiof said 25;V

discharge valve element-V opposite said passage for reducing the pressure on saidrear surface of said discharge valve Velement to minimize vibration thereof.

' Y 6. A valve assembly -for compressors comprising aV valve plate or thelikeV having a fiat exterior surface and having Vasdischarge passage extending4 therethrough,V aV seat` surrounding said passage, a ysheet metal discharge valveV supporting member extending Vacross saidexterior surface of said valve plate, said dischargevalve support- Y ing member having an elongated flexible integral Y YtionedcloselyY adjacent the rearsurface of said Y 45V Ytongue therein forming a discharge valve element Vcooperating withsaid seat to close said passage, a muie box positioned on 'said fiat exterior surfface of said valveV plate and having agdischarge f recess therein surrounding thefportion of Ysaid flexible `,tongue extending across Ysaid passage, and means including a wall of'said yrecess posiflexible tongue directing high velocity compressed Vfluid from said passage across the rear surface Y of said flexible tongue opposite Vsaid passageffor reducing VVthe 'pressure' on said Vrear Ysurface of chargevalve elementcooperating with Vsaid seat to close said passage, amuilie boxpositioned on the exterior side of said valve plate and having a discharge recess therein surrounding-said discharge valve element, aistop formed in said'recess and Aadapted to limitV the opening movement Y of said valve element, and means including a'wall of said recess positioned closely adjacent the rearsurface of saidv valve element directing high velocity compressed iiuid from said passage across the` rear surface of said discharge valveV element opposite saidpassagefor reducingthepressure on said rear surface of said discharge valve Velement to minimize'vibration thereof.

85A valve.Y assembly for compressors comprisingavalve plate or the like having a flat exterior surfaceY and a discharge passage extendingV therethrough, a seat surrounding said passage, .a sheet metal discharge valve supporting member extending across said flat exterior surface of said valve plate, said discharge valve supporting member having .an elongated Aflexible :integral tongue therein forming a discharge'valve element co- VVoperating with'said seatY to close said passage,

a. muille box positioned on the exteriorv side of said valve plate. and having a Vdischargerre'cess therein surrounding the portion of Vsaid discharge valve element adjacent said passage, said muflle box also having a wedge-shaped slot therein communicating with said recess, a stop formed in said recess Y having a zface of Yrelatively small-area in alignment `with the bottom Vof said slot,said bottom of said slot and said stop being adapted to limitV the opening movement of ,said valve element, and

means including a wan of said recess positioned f closely adjacent the rear surface of said portion of said flexible tongue adjacet'said passage directing high velocity compressed uid fromsaid passage across the rear surface of 'said' flexible tongue opposite'saidpassage'for reducing the pressure onsaid rear surface of said flexible tongue Y to minimize vibration thereof.

9. A valveassembly for compressors comprising a valve plate-or the like having a flat exterior surface and a discharge passage extending Vtherethrough, va sheet metal discharge `valve supporting member extending across said atrexterior surface of said valve plate, said discharge valve supporting Vmember having an elongated flexible integral tongue formed therein', Vsaid flexible Y tongue being-provided ywith an enlargedV end cooperatingwith said valve plate to close said passage, a muille -box positioned on said flat exterior Y Vside of said valve-plate `and having adischarger recess therein surrounding said enlarged end portion of said flexible tongue, said muille box also being provided with a wedge-shaped'slot-communicating with said recess, a stopV formedin said recess having a face of relatively smallareain alignment with the bottom of said" slot, said bottom of said Vslot andjsaid stop beingV adapted to limit the opening movement ofV said Vflexible tongue, andmeans including'a wall of said recessV positioned closely adjacent the rear surface of said enlarged endportion of said kflexible tongue directing high velocity compressedr fluid `from said passage past thejrear surface of said enlarged end portion for reducing therpressure on said rearsurface of said'enlarged end'portion Y to minimizevibration of said flexible tongue. Y

10.V A valve assembly-for compressors comprising a valve plate or the. Alike-having a Vflat exterior surface and a series of discharge passages 'extending therethrough, a sheet metal discharge valve supporting member extending across said flatexteriorsurface of said valve plate, said discharge valve supporting member having an elongated flexible integral'tongue formed therein' said flexible tongue beingprovided with an enlarged end cooperating with said valve plate to close said lseries of discharge passages, aV muiiie box positioned on said flat exterior side of saidr l valve plate and having a discharge ,recessY therein surrounding said enlarged end portion of said flexiblen-tongue, said muflle 'boxV also. being provided vvithiav wedge-shaped slot communicating with said recess, astop formed in said recess having a face of relatively small area in alignment with the bottom of saidslot, said bottomnfof said slot and saidstop being adapted to limit rthe openingY movement of saidwfiexible tongue, and means including a Wall of said recess positioned closely adjacent the rear surface of said enlarged Y end portion of said flexible tongue directing high velocity compressed fluid fromvsaid series of discharge passages the 'rear surface of said open said passage, said valve plateprovided withI ashallow recess insaidlat'- surfaceithereer'f beneath onlya portion oilsafid flexible' 'tong-ue'`Y minimizing the area ofcontact betw'eensaidflexe4 ible' tongue and' saidf' valve plate; saidf flex1b e! tongue being positioned' outside said" recess; in both its-open andclosed'positions;

12'.l A: valve assembly forcoin-pressors compris-- ing' a valve plate or thelili'ehavingfflat surfacestwo opposite' sides thereof, said valveplate having a discharge passage and an inlet -pes'safgef4 extending-1therethrougln'a sheet metal discharge valve supporting member positioned on one of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a flexible integral tongue formed therein cooperating with said valve plate to close said discharge passage when said tongue is substantially in alinement with said flat surface of said valve plate, said tongue being movable upwardly away from said valve plate to open said discharge passage, and a sheet metal inlet valve supporting member positioned on the other of said iiat surfaces of said valve plate and having a exible integral tongue formed therein cooperating with said valve plate to close said inlet passage when said tongue is substantially in alinement with said flat surface of said valve plate, said tongue being movable upwardly away from said valve plate to open said inlet passage, said valve plate being provided with a shallow recess in each of said flat surfaces thereof beneath said exible tongues minimizing the area of contact between said flexible tongues and said valve plate, said flexible tongues being positioned outside said recesses in both their open and closed positions.

13. A discharge valve assembly for compressors comprising a valve plate or the like having flat surfaces on two opposite sides thereof, said valve plate having a discharge passage and an inlet passage extending therethrough, a sheet metal discharge valve supporting member positioned on one of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a flexible integral tongue formed therein, said exible tongue having an elongated body portion and an enlarged end portion cooperating with said valve plate to close said discharge passage, and a sheet metal inlet valve supporting member positioned on the other of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a second flexible integral tongue formed therein, said second flexible tongue having an elongated body portion and an enlarged end portion cooperating with said valve plate to close said inlet passage, said valve plate being provided with a recess in each of said fiat surfaces thereof beneath said elongated body portions of said exible tongues minimizing the area of contact between said elongated body portions of said flexible tongues and said valve plate.

14. A valve assembly for compressors comprising a valve plate or the like having at surfaces on two opposite sides thereof, said valve plate iis-vise a aiscsarfge passage @naissance passage extending therethrough, `said discharge passage and said inlet passage being dis-placed approximately at 'riglitl ang-les? withrespect to each other about the center of said-'valve plate; a sheetA 'metal discharge-valve supporting-memberpositioned on` one' ofi said flat siirfacesiofi saidvals/e-` plateand having a; leinblejiriteg-ral tongue tliereinj cooperating with saidvalve-platef tog'lclose s'aiddiscl'iarge'A passage-and having larrap'e'rtinte therein surrounding one Y end' ofsaidinletpassage-f, and a -slieet metall inlet valves'upporting member positienedA area of contact l betweensaid flexible tonguesiaridf` saidjva-lve plate; Y 15. A valve assembly' for',compresscfJrsrcompris ingar valvel plate or the lil'ieffhavingf flat surfacesi on two opposite sides thereof, said valve plate having adischarge passage and an inlet passage extending therethrough, said discharge passage and said inlet passage being displaced approximately at right angles with respect to each other about the center of said valve plate, a sheet metal discharge valve supporting member positioned on one of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a flexible integral tongue therein cooperating with said valve plate to close said discharge passage and having an aperture therein surrounding one end of said inlet passage, and a sheet metal inlet valve supporting member positioned on the other of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a second flexible integral tongue formed therein cooperating with said'valve plate to close said inlet passage and having an aperture therein surrounding one end of said discharge passage, said flexible tongues being arranged at approximately right angles with respect to each other.

16. A valve assembly for compressors comprising a valve plate or the like having flat surfaces on two opposite sides thereof, said valve plate having a discharge passage and an inlet passage extending therethrough, said discharge passage and said inlet passage being displaced at approximately right angles with respect to each other about the center of said valve plate, aV

sheet metal discharge valve supporting member i positioned on one of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a flexible integral tongue formed therein, said tongue having an elongated body portion and an enlarged end portion cooperating with said valve plate to close said discharge passage, said discharge valve support ng member being provided with an aperture surrounding one end of said inlet passage, and a sheet metal inlet valve supporting member positioned on the other of said flat surfaces of said valve plate and having a second exible integral tongue formed therein, said second iiexible tongue having an elongated body portion and an enlarged end portion cooperating with said valve plate to close said inlet passage, said ilexible tongues being arranged at substantially right angles with respect to each other and said inlet valve supporting member being provided with an aperture therein-surrounding"ohevendfof said discharge Y Y passage.

17. A valve assembly for compressors comprising a valve'plate orVV the like having a uid pasing member having an elongated flexible integral tongue formed therein cooperating 'with said seat Vto close said passage 'and` flexingV torna-position ',displaced'from said seat to open said passage,

Vandmeans for supporting said tongue throughout Vsubstantially the entire length thereof when said tongue is flexed to its Vopen position.;

r 18;*Awva1ve assembly/tifo;` compressors compris-V ing a valve plate or, the like having a iiuid Ypassage formed therein, aV valve seatVV on said valve plate Yand surrounding v,one end of said passage,

V a sheet metal valve supporting Y member posir-V tionedfon a surfaceY of said valve plate, said valve ,Y

supporting member havingVV a Yflexibele integral tongue formed therein, said flexible tongue being Y providedV with an elongated body portion and an` enlarged end cooperatingwith'said seat to close Vsaid passage and flexing to aposition displaced from saidY seat to open said passage, means Vfor n supporting Asaid elongated body-portion ofsaid flexible tongue throughout substantially the enL tireV length thereoferwhen said ,flexible tongue-is n ilexed to its open positio'nVand means ,including` a stop having a face Vof relatively small area for limiting the lopening movement of said enlarged,V

end of said Vflexible tongue. Y Y

19. Avalve assemblyV for compressors comprising a valve plateor the like Vhaving a iluid passage formed therein, avalverseat Von said valvel plateV and surroundingone end Vof Vsaid passage,

a sheet metal valve supporting memberpositioned on a surface of said valve plate,V said valve sup- .porting member having an elongated flexible integral vtongue formed vtherein cooperatingwith, said seat to close saidV passage and flexing toa position displaced fromV said. seat to 'Open said passage, a member having a recessV4 formed therein surrounding saidflexibletongue, and means including a supporting-Wall formed on said lastV mentioned member for supporting said flexible tongue throughout substantially the entire-length Vthereof when said tongue isI flexed'to .its open position. Y Y Y HARLEY H; BIXLER. 

